After giving up the first goal, Augsburg scored four unanswered for a 4-1 win over the Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) in the first round of the fifth annual Radisson North Classic at the Air Force Academy’s Cadet Ice Arena.
Augsburg improved to 7-3 overall while MSOE fell to 0-7-2.
MSOE struck first when James Shipley scored on a slapshot from the top of the circle from Andy Eisch and Jacob Basten, Jr., at 8:15 of the first period.
Augsburg scored two in each of the second and third periods for its seventh win in the last eight contests. Tarik Yumusaklar tied the score at 1-1 at 7:51 of the second period with a top-shelf wrister just outside the crease from Steve Belde. Belde scored the game-winner at 17:21 of the second period from Sean Donnelly.
Defenseman Shawn Smith opened the third period with a power-play goal at 4:11 from Jaro Cesky. Smith took a slapshot from just inside the blue line that beat Adam Blomfield low, glove-side. David May rounded out the scoring at 8:14 of the third period. His rebound goal from right in front came from Belde and Dave Nelson.
Augsburg outshot MSOE, 30-27, in the game. The Auggies were 1-for-2 on the power play while killing all five MSOE man-up advantages.
Belde had four points in the game and was plus-3 to lead all players. Kyle Holzinger topped all players with five shots on goal, while Cesky and Nelson each had four. Joe Jursanac led the Raiders with four shots on goal.
Augsburg goalie Peter Samargia made 26 saves in the game, including 12 in the second period. Blomfield also made 26 for MSOE.
The Auggies will advance to the championship game of the Radisson North Classic against the winner of the Air Force/Wisconsin-Stout game. The game will be played at either 3:05 or 7:05 p.m. MSOE will face the loser of that game in the consolation.
